New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-04
HIGH LICENSE md N0NPARTISdN PRO-
HIBITION

On the eve Of his departure for Florida in search OF
ealth and strength which we sincerely hope he viii
find Mr. John n. Stearns, secretary of the National
Temperance Society," sent to this 0hce q protest
against certain articles in which The TRIBUNE has
advocated the High License bill now before the Lesis
Iature at Albany. Mr. Searns is an honest advocate
of prohibition. HIS motives are above suspicion and
he represents sincere men like himself lie under
stands perec city and has sympathy with the third
marty leaders who in order 10 obtain the political
notoriety and spoils which they love arc eager to
destroy the Republican party which they hate. In
the name of the nonpartsan organizations which no
represents Mr.. Stearns objects TO being classed with
those who went to Albany IN the interest OF drunk
ard -makng," and clasping hands with the liquor
dealers" That Ia n combination to which we are 10th
TO believe that Mr.. Stearns would consciously be
party; but still the TACT remains that he listened
rithout n protest while his fellow deputy, the Rev.
Mr.. Mngins, declared before the Excise Committee
that he was for no tree rum" MIR. Stearns
knew what this menlt, since no rum T" Ia not even
under consideration. and he must bear his share oil
the responsibility for such an utterance.
Mr. Stearns says of the High License bill
This Is not hisbcense bill. 1t il fraud on high
license itself It T. like 20 other tigncense OH IN Ine
only 500 for beer licenses and discriminating ten 10
one against whiskey. Alcohol ia no worse In whskey
than 10 beer only ono bias TO take larger quantity OF
one the Otbor 70 got the desired effect The Dill has
not penalty attached and cannot be enforced except 70
collect revenue Itre-enacts the Infamous five gallon"
clause. which makes free rum In ali the prohibition
with all honest men.
We do not think or soy that the present bill is the
best that could be devised, but do say emphati-
cally that il is vastly better than nothing that II it
fails every restrictive measure will fail for no one
knows how long, and that whoever helps to axe 1t
fail will take upon himself dire responsibility.
Alludiag TO the High License meeting in this city
Mr.. Stcarns says that il a heartfelt and magnih
cent expression OF ndgnation against the domination
of the saloon," and thus concludes his letter:
To DO sure I oticed the speakers all srent much OF
their surplus adlectves the ProhiDtionists aud
they made NJ distinction between the Third Party y
and the Non Partisan" cllssng them all together
showing that they new la the temperance world.
But IL grand uprising OF the people and fore
shadowei the coming OF he tDe whom the saloon ust
60" When these Ind that tina licensing OF the lie
but only 10 aggravate lis evils. AMI ncrense saloon
domination, they Will take another step forward toward
the blessed contamination and sure 10 como. And
have no hard words 10 say to them or OF them
did dsnOuI ard eNpec, TO continue to denonnce your
Incorporate denuu,iatioa OF all CT who conscien-
uonsy ana integently or pose all license OF this bev'
eraee Of heli' Your hard words neither burt ms nor
help your We are In hearty sympathy with any
honest and Intelligent effort arrest thN gigantic
crime OF crimes" but do not propose 10 change oar
convictions OF lifetime Tor such mess or pOttago
Is now offered
We have no desire TO quarrel With M Stcarns and
tho non-partisan prohibitionsts who, like him. per-
ceive that the saloon too serious evil to be abln
doned g. the use OF ignorant and selfish political
party whose am button ia to rule rum. But we re-
gret and we think lie will live TO regret, that be has
endeavored 10 defeat practical measure TO mitigate
the curze